Time controlled circuit maker and breaker



Aug. 17, 1937. F. MARZO TIME CONTROLLED CIRCUIT MAKER AND BREAKER Filed Oct. 8, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l 6 TIME E MENT AVPUANzE ILQNNECTlON POWER CQNNELTIDN Aug. 17, 1937. F. MARZO TIME CONTROLLED CIRCUIT MAKER AND BREAKER Filed Oct. 8, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Hus 5W Patented Aug. 17, 1937 UNITED sTKTEs PATENT OFFICE TIME CONTROLLEi) CIRCUIT MAKER AND BREAKER I Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in electric circuit controlling devices and contemplates such a device constructed and arranged to first complete an electric circuit at a predetermined 5 time and later to interrupt such circuit, also at a predetermined time.

It is the purpose of the present invention to provide mechanism for attaining the above mentioned ends of such construction as enable the average householder to purchase and use one or more, and to this end the device is constructed of simple mechanism that permits of its manufacture at a relatively low price.

The device of the present invention contemplates switch mechanism adapted to be operated through the medium of a spring device, both for the circuit maker and the circuit breaker and it is the object of the invention to employ a conventional clock mechanism having setting devices adapted to control the said spring device whereby the switch may be caused to function at predetermined intervals.

An object of the present invention is to provide a clock mechanism having a spring device indeu pendent of the conventional motor spring and setting means whereby the spring may partake of two separate unwinding motions resulting in first a closing of an electric circuit and then an interruption of said circuit, each motion being 30 at predetermined intervals.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a single switch device having two separate motions each operated by a single spring device which is in turn controlled by a conventional gear 35 train as associated with the usual clock motion. The invention contemplates an actuating spring having two separate expansion periods, each expansion motion serving to impart a motion to the switch, first, to complete the circuit and second 40 to interrupt the circuit.

A further and important object of the invention resides in the extreme simplicity of the mechanism employed to carry out the functions hereinbefore noted coupled with the low cost of manufacture.

45 Many devices of this nature have been provided for accomplishing the same purposes of applicants invention, but their complicated structures and the cost of manufacture has made them prohibitive to the average householder and it was 50 with this feature in mind that led to an effort to provide a simple and efficient device that could beemployed to control many electrical devices, such as radios, electric signs, signal devices and household appliances. The device of the present in- 55 vention, while extremely simple iii design, is highly' efficient in operation, strong, durable and cheap to manufacture.

Other and important objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description, reference being had 5 to the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure l is a face view of a clock having two set- 10 ting devices as embodied in the invention,

Figure 2 is a rear view thereof,

Figure 3 is a front view with the clock casing cut away to illustrate the mechanism therein,

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional view through the 15 actuating spring and associated elements, taken on line 44 of Figure 3,

Figure 5 is a plan view of the clock mechanism illustrating the actuating spring and associated elements, parts of the clock mechanism being omitted,

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the actuating spring in its completely wound position, together with the associated switch device,

Figure 7 is a similar view illustrating the spring in its first unwinding position, a

Figure 8 is a similar view but with the spring in its completely expanded position,

Figure 9 is a similar view illustrating the switch motion during the rewinding of the spring,

Figure 10 is an enlarged view, partly in section, of the switch head,

Figure 11 is a fragmentary end view of the spring, and

Figure 12 is a diagrammatic illustration of the circuit wiring.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the numeral 5 designates a casing, formed of metal, wood or other suitable material. The casing is 40 providedwith a removable back section fi. Clock mechanism designated as a whole by the numeral 1 is supported within the casing as is customary and actuates the usual time indicating hands 8 operating over the conventional dial 9 carried by the forward face of the clock. The time operating mechanism is of conventional structure and will not be described in detail with the exception of so much as may be necessary for a connection to the operating parts of the switch control. As shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5, the clock is provided with two separate time setting means, that is, an on set I0 and an off set H, see particularly Figure l. A power attachment plug I2 is illustrated in Figure 2 and an appliance connection receptacle I3 is illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. I

The switch operating mechanism is designated as a whole by the numeral l4 and comprises an 5 operating spring device embodying a relatively wide spiral spring l4 wound about a shaft l5 that is mounted for rotation in the frame portion of the clock. A winding key l6 serves to rotate the shaft in one direction for placing the 10 spring under tension. As clearly shown, one end of the spring is connected to the shaft l5 while the opposite or outer end is attached to a barrel H as indicated at I8. It will be seen by reference to Figures 4 and 5 that the spring has a width substantially twice the depth of the barrel. The barrel carries gear teeth l5 that mesh with the teeth of a relatively small gear carried by a shaft 2|. The shaft 2| carries an escapement wheel 22 engaged by an escapement dog 23 for 20 controlling the rotation of the shaft and incidently the barrel. A latch spring 24 normally prevents rotation of a shaft 25 through the medium of a finger engagement 26. The shaft 25 carries the dog 23. The on set device com- 25 prises a shaft 21 on which is slidably mounted a gear 28 having a cam device associated therewith. The end of the shaft 21 carries a pin that normally rides upon the upper surface of the cam. The gear 28 is turned through the medium of 30 the conventional time mechanism which will not be described in detail, other than to say that when the gear 28 is rotated to a predetermined degree, the cam will ride outwardly over the pin under the action of the latch 24, releasing the finger 26 and permitting the shaft 2| to be rotated under action of the spring controlled barrel H, the speed of rotation being retarded by the escapement devices 22 and 23. When the spring has expanded approximately one-half, a stop pin 29 (see Figures 6 to 9 inclusive) will have been projected under action of the spring I4 and when the barrel has rotated to the proper point, the pin 29 will engage a finger 30, also carried by the shaft 25. This action will lock the escapement mechanism against movement and further movement of the barrel and its associated mechanism hereinbefore described will be prevented.

The structure so far described relates to the first movement of the actuating spring l4 and it should be here stated that during this initial movement the shaft I5 is held against rotary movement. Freely rotatable upon the shaft l5 and lying next to the spring I4 is a second gear 3|, similar in size to the gear IS. The gear 3| -carries a pivoted ratchet dog 32 upon its outer face for engagement with a winding ratchet 33 that is fixed to the shaft 5. The gear 3| engages and drives a small gear 20' upon a shaft 2|. The shaft 2| also carries an escapement wheel 22 engaged by an escapement dog 23"on a shaft .25. A spring latch device 24 engages and normally holds a finger 26' against movement. The latch is normally held in engaged position by a sliding gear 34 that is carried by a shaft 35 desig- 5 nated the off control. This gear carries a cam face that rides upon a pin carried by the shaft 35 and upon a predetermined time will ride over the pin and be bodily moved endwise by the spring latch 24, whereby the finger 26' is released, permitting of a rotation of the shaft 2| under the action of the spring l4 operating through the shaft l5, ratchet wheel 33, ratchet 32 and gear 3|. The release of the gear 3| will I permit the complete unwinding of the spring i4. It will therefore be seen from the foregoing that the mechanism described will cause the spring to partake of two separate unwinding actions.

It will be understood that the shafts 21 and 35 are extended at their outer ends and carry the usual indicating hands, while their rear ends are extended and carry hand set knobs.

The switch device comprises a flat bar 36 having perforated ends that are slidably positioned over guide pins 31. The pins 31 are carried by fixed bracket members 38 carried by the clock casing. Compression springs 39 are carried by the pins 31 and engage upon the upper surface of the bar 36, normally urging it toward the brackets 38. Adjusting nuts are threaded upon the pins 37 for varying the degree of tension upon the bar 36. As clearly shown in Figures 4 v and 5, the bar 36 overlies the exposed portion of the spring l4 and when the parts are in starting position, the bar lies substantially upon the outermost coil of the spring l4, which is the normal position. The bar carries a centrally disposed upstanding arm 40 having a head 4|, preferably formed of insulating material and having a metallic contact element passing therethrough as shown at 42. The'head is adapted to pass between metallic contact elements 43 and 44 carried by a common bracket 45 of insulating material. A'circuit is made between the head 4| and contacts 43 and 44 by a rubbing contact. Contact element 44 is hingedly mounted as at 46 upon the bracket 45 and is held against pivoting in' the upward direction by an extension 41, but is freely movable downward against the action of a retractile spring 43. The ends of the contact elements are preferably surrounded by insulating material, as shown and for a purpose to be described.

The bar is caused to move upwardly under the action of the expansion of the spring I4, causing the head 4| to pass between the contacts 43 and 44 thus establishing an electrical connection. This initial positioning of the bar 36 is the first expansive motion of the spring l4 and the amount of expansion is so timed that when the head 4| lies between the contacts 43 and 44 the spring M will be locked against further action until the off setting functions to permit a further and complete expansion. When the "ofi setting operates to release the spring for a complete expansion, the bar 36 will move further upward against the tension of the springs 39, such movement causing the head to pass beyond the contacts 43 and 44, thus interrupting the circuit.

When the mechanism is to be reset, the spring i5 is rewound through the medium of the key I6. As the spring I4 is rewound, the bar 36 moves downward under the action of the springs 39. It is important and desirable that during the downward movement of the head 4| past the contacts 43 and 44 that a circuit connection be not established, and to avoid this undesirable feature, the head is provided with a compressible latch element 49 pivoted at 50 and normally urged outwardly by a leaf spring 5|. When the head is moving upwardly, the latch will be compressed, but when the head moves downwardly, the latch will engage the upper insulated portion of the contact 44 causing it to swing upon its pivot until the head and latch has passed out of the arc thereof, at which time the contact will move upwardly into normal position under action of its spring. Thus it will be seen that in the downward movement of the head 4|, the swinging of the contact 44 downwardly will prewinding due to the reach of the spring end from its wound position to its connection with the barrel, the spring is cut away as indicated at M", see particularly Figure 11. Thus the actual contact between the bar and spring l4 will be a relatively smooth one.

The stop pin 29 is normally urged inwardly against the action of the spring H by a coil spring 29 engaging a head 29" carried by the pin, thus when the parts are to be reset, a re- 5 winding of the spring l4 will cause the pin 29 to also move to normal position.

The operation of the device is as follows:

The parts being in their normal position, it being assumed that the spring l4 has been wound completely and the "on and "off controls have been set at predetermined intervals, as the time approaches where the gear 28 is r0- tated to the point where the cam snaps over the pin, the shaft 2| will be permitted to rotate due to a release of the latch 24, shaft 25 and escapement mechanism 22 and 23. This release will permit the gear l9 to rotate under the influence of the expansive force of the spring l4" and this expansion of the spring moves the bar 36 upwardly against the tension of the springs 38 until such time as the head 4| lies between the contacts 43 and 44. At this moment the pin 29 has been moved outwardly by the spring l4 9. suflicient distance to engage the finger 30, such action preventing further movement of the shaft -25 and thereby locking the escapement device, shaft 2|, gear 20 and gear l9 against further movement. When this operation has been completed, the spring l4 has been unwound approxi- 40 mately one-half. The unwinding of the spring the appliance to be controlled and back to the opposite pole of the source of current.

When the time approaches for an interruption of the circuit, the gear 34 has rotated to release its latch with the corresponding release of the escapement mechanism 22' and 23, shaft 2|, gear 20' and large gear 3|, at which time the spring i4 is permitted to complete its unwinding action, with the result that the head 4| is moved still further upward until it has passed beyond the contacts 43 and 44, this action serving to interrupt the circuit. The second unwinding action serves to rotate the shaft IS in the direction of its arrow and this motion is imparted to the gear 3| through the medium of the ratchet dog 32 and ratchetwheel 33. It should be here stated that during the first unwinding action, the shaft l5 and gear 3| is held against turning movement.

The mechanism is entirely set in its normal opera 65 tivc position by simply rewinding the spring l4 through the medium of the key Hi, this action permitting the bar 36 to move downwardly under the influence of its springs 39 and the locking pin 29 withdrawn under action of its spring. The

70 gears l9 and 3| are automatically locked against ing of the electrical contact. This however forms no part of the present invention.

It will be seen from the foregoing that an extremely simple and efficient form of circuit maker and breaker has been provided. The structure is such as may be very cheaply manufactured, combining in its makeup the time elements of the conventional moderate priced clock. While the invention is illustrated as combined with a clock employing a spring motor drive, it is obvi ous that it might just as readily be adapted to the well known electric clocks.

Further mention should be made relative to the rotary engagement of the spring M with the bar 36. The spring H as has been previously stated, is cut away as at 14" for a distance equal to the distance between the point of connection with the barrel I1 and the outermost convolution in the completely wound condition. This will enable the bar 36 to lie against the outermost convolution when the spring is completely wound and will cause the bar to rise evenly as the spring unwinds, without jerky or uneven movements. If the spring was not cut away as indicated, the bar could not lie closer than the outermost end of the spring where it connects with the barrel II.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction shown, but that it includes within its purview whatever changes fairly come within either the terms or the spirit of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim is:-

l. The combination with a clock mechanism and a circuit controller, a spring motor having an expansible spring, the said motor controlled by the clock mechanism at predetermined intervals, said circuit controller lying in the path of expansive movement of the spring, a partial expansion of the spring serving to close the circuit, while a further expansion of the spring serves to interrupt the circuit.

2. The combination with a clock mechanism and a circuit controller, a spring motor associated'with the clock and controllable by the clock for permitting intermittent movement thereof, said motor comprising an expansible spring adapted to partake of a plurality of separate expansive movements, said circuit controller lying in the path of expansive movement of the spring, the several independent movements of the spring serving first to complete an electric circuit and then to interrupt said circuit, the several motions controlled at predetermined intervals by the clock mechanism.

3. The combination with a time controlling mechanism and a circuit controller, a rotary spring motor associated with and controlled by the time mechanism, the said motor comprising a rotary housing and an expansible spring, means for permitting a partial rotation of the motor and a consequent partial expansion of the spring, means for permitting a furtherexpansion of the spring, the said circuit controller lying in the path of expansive movement of the spring whereby the several motions of the spring will be imparted to the said circuit controller.

4. In combination, a clock mechanism and an electric circuit controller, a rotary spring motor associated with the clock and intermittently controlled thereby, the said motor comprising a rotary barrel and an expansion spring, means controllable by the clock for permitting a partial rotation of the motor 'with a consequent partial expansion of the spring, means operable by the expansive movement of the spring for positively limiting the initial rotative movement of the motor, means controllable by the clock for permitting a further expansion of the spring, the said circuit controller lying in the path of expansive movement of the spring, whereby the several expansive movements of the spring will be imparted to the controller for eifecting first a closing of the circuit and second an interrupting of the circuit, the several movements of the motor being controlled at predetermined intervals by the clock mechanism.

5. In combination, a clock mechanism and a circuit controller, a rotatable spring motor embodying an expansible spring, said motorcomprising a barrel, means controlled by the clock pleting the circuit, a further expansive movement of the spring serving to move the controller to a position for interrupting the circuit, the several movements of the motor controllable at, predetermined intervals by the clock mechanism and means for causing the several parts to move to, their normal initial position.

FRANK MARZO. 

